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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Bantamweight Jose Vega gets his shot in the Bellator Fighting Championships season three bantamweight tournament, after all.
The organization announced Wednesday night that Vega, who made a splash at Bellator 22 in June, is the fifth confirmed participant for the tournament field.
Vega was matched up against Jarrod Card at the event last month, with Card being the fighter talked about for this season three tournament. Vega put a halt to that plan, knocking Card out in spectacular fashion with a picture perfect right hand in just 39 seconds.
"I'm more complete now than I've ever been before,” Vegas said of his burgeoning MMA game. “Up until right before my most recent win over Jarrod Card, I had been training myself by watching fight tapes and instructionals. Now I finally have someone watching over me telling me if what I'm doing is right or wrong. I wanted to be a part of this tournament as soon as I heard about it. I wanted to be a part of Bellator. Bellator is coming up fast and I feel like I'm coming up fast too. They gave me this shot and all I want to do is grow with them.”
The 24 year old brings an 8-2 record to this tournament, and joins a field with already confirmed fighters Danny Tims, Ulysses Gomez, Nik Mamalis and Travis “The Hurricane” Reddinger.
"Jose showed everyone in MMA what he’s capable with his highlight reel knockout at Bellator 22,” Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney said in Wednesdays release. “Part of the beauty of Bellator is that a fighter like Jose can come out of virtual obscurity to make a name for himself and will keep fighting for us as long as he keeps winning. Jose definitely has the tools to go far in our Bantamweight Tournament and I look forward to watching him compete come August.”
Bellator's third season begins on August 12, with the 12 week season airing Thursday nights on Fox Sports Net.
Penick's Analysis: Vega's knockout at Bellator 22 was one of the more exciting KO's of the year, and he deserved to get the shot in this tournament for sure. With a victory over Tims already on his record, along with this knockout of Card who would have received the spot, Vega fought his way in. This bantamweight tournament should provide for some good fights, as there are definitely some really exciting fighters and matchups available.
RELATED STORY: BELLATOR NEWS: Travis Reddinger officially added to Bellator season three bantamweight tournament: [CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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